Basic Instinct (1992)

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer (WGA):

Joe Eszterhas (written by)

Release Date:

20 March 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

A brutal murder. A brilliant killer. A cop who can't resist the danger.

Plot:

A police detective is in charge of the investigation of a brutal murder, in which a beautiful and seductive woman could be involved.

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Suspect | Police | Murder | Novelist

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Michael Douglas	...	Detective Nick Curran
Sharon Stone	...	Catherine Tramell
George Dzundza	...	Gus
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Dr. Beth Garner
Denis Arndt	...	Lieutenant Walker
Leilani Sarelle	...	Roxy
Bruce A. Young	...	Andrews
Chelcie Ross	...	Captain Talcott
Dorothy Malone	...	Hazel Dobkins
Wayne Knight	...	John Correli
Daniel von Bargen	...	Lieutenant Nilsen (as Daniel Von Bargen)
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Dr. Lamott
Benjamin Mouton	...	Harrigan
Jack McGee	...	Sheriff
Bill Cable	...	Johnny Boz

Also Known As:

Basic Instinct (France)
Ice Cold Desire (Singapore: English title) (censored version)
Love Hurts (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for drug use and language.

Runtime:

127 min | USA:128 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR | LC-Concept Digital Sound (France)

Certification:

Malaysia:(Banned) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2001) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) (also director's cut) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Singapore:PG (video rating) (heavily cut) | USA:R (#31380) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) (2007) | Finland:K-16 (video rating) (cut) (1992) | Finland:K-18 (theatrical rating) (1992) | Singapore:R(A) (cut) (1992) | Hungary:18 | India:A | Brazil:18 | Israel:18 (video rating) | Israel:X (original rating) | Philippines:R-18 | Norway:15 (DVD rating) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) (re-rating) (also director's cut) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (also director's cut) (Original rating) | Chile:18 | France:-12 (re-rating) | France:-16 (original rating) | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated (director's cut) | Mexico:C | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

1158 Montgomery Street, Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Carolco Pictures

Trivia:

50 San Francisco Police Department riot police had to be present at every location every day to deal with picketing gay and lesbian activists.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Nick Curran is hit by the Lotus, the left pop-up headlight is damaged. It's OK for the next shots of the car chase.

Quotes:

Andrews: There are cum stains all over the sheets.
Nick: Very impressive.
Gus: He got off before he got offed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Married with Children: Heels on Wheels (#7.15)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Blue

It'll Wear Ya Out

It'll wear ya out. Those were the words uttered by an old guy who was walking out of Basic Instinct that I overheard. A woman asked if the film we just saw was any good and that's what he answered. I did feel worn out by the experience of seeing this film. It was a first rate crackerjack erotic thriller. A triple degree black belt in modern movie thriller cinema. Dutch director Paul Verhoeven proves himself to be a first rate filmmaking madman with this monster work.

Sharon Stone became one of my fave rave movie stars after the release of this flick. All her other work has pretty much been second rate. And Mikey Douglas once again pushes the envelope in Hollywood where everything these days must be safe and non-offensive. This is badass dangerous filmmaking, daddy-o, and it's apart of what I call The Evil Three. The Evil Three Of Filmmaking. Or the the three sexual films that really p***ed a lot of people off. The Evil Three consists of: Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Indecent Proposal. Too bad Mike didn't play Redford's part in Proposal. That woulda REALLY honked those uptight squares off.

And don't listen to the stiffs who hated this film because of its so called negative portrayals of lesbians. I think most intelligent folk knew before going to see this movie that most lesbians don't have a thing for ice picks and crotchless underwear. A word to the wiseguy...